The Jews Response To The Decree - Esther 4:1-4

Tuesday, September 11, 2002, started as an average fall morning, but then tragedy struck. I believe everyone old enough to remember that day can tell you the details of where they were and what they were doing when they got the news. Immediately people were on the streets with signs calling for prayer and repentance. Churches had an influx of people, and we even heard "God Bless America" being sung on the House floor of US Congress. The tragedy invoke a response form the people. Unfortunately, the response did not last, but during those days when our world became very uncertain, people turned to God. It is common that tragedy brings repentance and prayer. In chapter four of Esther, we have a tragic situation that brought about a response. After the decree was signed and sent throughout all the kingdom, we saw many were perplexed, but not moved to action. In the beginning of chapter four, we are shown humiliation, repentance, prayer, and fasting. It should not take a tragic event to invoke such a response. We must learn there is a season for weeping, mourning, and fasting.